The Penobscott Rafting Trip

On August 22, two coworkers of mine (David and Michelle), Michelle's husband (Chris), and I traveled up to Maine to enjoy the exciting rapids of the Penobscott river.  For those of you who don't know where the Penobscott river is located, fret not - I have no clue either.  All you have to know is that it is a hefty bus ride from Boston, and three hours east of nowhere.  Anyhow, below are some highlights... our days up in Maine.

Dave, Michelle, and Chris are all members of the Boston Ski & Sports Club, which was the organization that planned this trip.  Of its over 5000 members, 35 lucky ones (and me) got to go rafting with Randy , the trip leader.
 
 
 

Since we had to be on the road at the crack of dawn, Chris set the alarm for 6am.  The only problem was that he set the clock ahead one hour, so we all got up at 5am.  We all got up, that is, except for Michelle, who was trying to sleep under 15 or so layers of blankets.

While Dave and Michelle went back to bed, Chris and I took a little walk around the camp.  These next few photos are some shots I took just before sunrise.  FYI:  the lake we stayed at was Moosehead Lake. Also FYI, as you may or may not have noticed, but our accomodations were quite gorgeous.  We all stayed in canvas tents, with four beds to a tent.  And you may notice there is no bathroom in the picture above.  All 35 people who went on this trip had the pleasure of sharing two bathrooms.  Happy. Happy.  Joy.  Joy.

The entire trip took three days.  On Friday, we all left Boston and traveled up to the famous Birches Resort (I have never heard of it before).  This is where the pictures above were taken.  Saturday was the day for rafting, and Sunday was the day for recuperating and traveling back to Boston.  So, here is Dave, excited and eagerly anticipating the rapids as we travel 2+ hours via school bus to the rapids.  The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round...

Once we reached the rafting site, we all got suited up.  Make sure that helmet is on properly, Missy!

While most of us could take the cool temperature of the water, there were some, like myself, who would much prefer an extra layer.  While I did stay quite nice and warm, I did manage to pick up the name Jacques Cousteau. Now why do we need helmets, you ask?  You might think they are needed to keep our heads from hitting the rocks.  Nope.  They are so Missy doesn't hit us with her paddle.  (Incidently, we lost one member of our boat when Missy accidently knock her overboard with her paddle.  She is still missing.)

Aahh.  Preparing for the big adventure.  Here are our two fearless paddlers.  To the right, we have Chris, a strapping young doctor.  To the left, we have Frenchie.  I don't know what he does, but when he does situps, he likes to count in french (to slow him down).

Michelle wasn't sure if she could do it, but she did.  She survived the first rapid!  Don't worry, though.  Before the end of the trip, Michelle successfully swallowed half of the river and fell out of the boat.

OH NO!!! We're sinking!  I'm not sure if you can tell, but at this point in time, I am hanging outside the boat; only my foot lodged somewhere in the raft is keeping me in.  Damon, our much drooled over guide, made sure that we had the best possible time.  After almost each rapid, we went back and "surfed," or rode the bottom part of the wave.  Surfing proved to be much fun, except for Dave (to the left of the picture).  Let's just say that after this surf, Dave had a whole new meaning of the word "clean."

(In time, I will get some more action photos, but this is all I got with my disposable camera.  Stay tuned...)
 
 

With 2/3 of the rapids behind us, we took a little break to watch the other boats make fools of themselves.  In fact, the group had its first OVERBOARD on this rapid.  But fret not, all of the Yanks could be accounted for.  During this little break, we managed to squeeze off two shots: Michelle and Chris, and me and Dave.  I'm not sure who makes the more cute couple!

The next little bit was smooth water, for the most part.  We did stop for lunch, but we spent more time relaxing and swimming.  Since I don't feel like writing anymore, here are the remaining pictures from the rafting trip I wish to share.  Enjoy!  At the bottom you will also see a link for Day 2.  This will have some more pictures and more text.

The link to Day 2...